Business Attraction

Burien’s business attraction efforts seek to cultivate a diverse
economy, create jobs, and provide economic opportunities for all members
of the community. Our team gets new businesses and development projects
off the ground quickly and provides follow-up support and accessibility
that isn’t possible in a larger city. Businesses are finding our strong
customer focus, central location and regional economic connections
allow them the resources to run a big city business in the comfort of a
small town.

Our staff proactively recruit businesses and
developments that are aligned with the community’s vision including
hotels and offices. Unlike some communities in the area who are afraid
of growth, Burien embraces it and knows that every new business or new
development is another investment in our community.

Recruiting Burien believers

A "Burien believer" is someone who looks outside of the usual places in
Seattle or Bellevue and gets excited by the ground floor opportunities
in Burien. Just ask recent newcomers like Merrill Gardens, PCC Community
Markets, Legacy Development, or Bakery Nouveau how they became Burien
Believers—it all started with a tour. We find the best way to understand
Burien’s draw is to walk the downtown streets and experience the main
street feel for yourself. Economic development staff frequently give
tours to prospective businesses and developers, and we always enjoy the
opportunity to do so. Contact us today to schedule a tour.

Placemaking and talent attraction

As
the workforce preference for an urban core environment has evolved,
Burien has made urban placemaking a major focus of City economic
development to attract businesses. The community has made major
investments in the downtown as it develops into a multi-modal urban
core, including the recently completed $193 million Burien Town
Square development. Placemaking has been focused on creating an vibrant
space where employees want to live and work, and employers want to
locate.

Branding and marketing—telling the story

Burien
is one of the Puget Sound’s hottest up-and-coming communities, and also
one of its best kept secrets. The community has been growing
organically since incorporation, and has spent the last two decades
making strategic investments in infrastructure and City planning to
prime the pump for growth.

Burien’s City Council has made economic
development a City priority, and cleared the way for businesses and
developers to take the lead in the next stage of investment. With a
recently completed rebranding project, the communications and economic
development divisions are collaborating on business attraction and
marketing initiatives to show the region and nation Burien’s is ready
for its close-up.